Cronos Group Provides Operational Update and Files 2016 Financial Results
TORONTO, ON --(Marketwired - May 01, 2017) - Cronos Group Inc. (formerly PharmaCan
Capital Corp.) (TSX VENTURE: MJN) ("Cronos" or the "Company") is pleased to report the financial
results and accompanying management discussion and analysis for the year ending December 31, 2016; copies are available on the
Company's website (www.thecronosgroup.com) and have been filed with SEDAR (www.sedar.com).
During the year ended December 31, 2016, Cronos shifted the corporate strategy to an owner operator model focused on
optimizing and ramping up production at wholly-owned subsidiaries Peace Naturals Project Inc. ("Peace Naturals" or "Peace") and
In the Zone Produce Ltd. ("ITZ"). Concurrently, the Company concentrated on establishing incremental domestic and international
distribution networks. As a result, Cronos is presently in the best operational and strategic position since the Company's
inception, and new management is pleased to provide the following updates:
- Corporate Developments
- Repositioned Company from investment holding company to an operational company, rebranding to Cronos Group in October
2016
- Attracted top-tier senior management with blue chip experience
- Raised in excess of $38 million while carefully managing dilution
- Recognized as the top performing company on TSX Venture Exchange in Diversified Industries
- Peace Naturals
- Closed an accretive acquisition of Peace Naturals in September 2016
- Renovation of Building 1, including:
- GMP grade production area
- Expansion of extraction capacity with newly acquired supercritical CO2 equipment
- Buildout and operational upgrades in Building 2 and 3, including:
- Advanced infrastructure improvements: (i) commercial scale Phase 3 power infrastructure, (ii) HPS and LED light
platforms, (iii) custom CO2 piping and 14-ton CO2 tank, (iv) automated Dosatron watering
system
- Lighting R&D to significantly improve yields
- Capacity of existing buildings forecasted to reach 5,000 kg per year
- ITZ
- More than doubled acreage to 31 contiguous acres in the Okanagan Valley, BC
- Sales license achieved February 2017
- Joint venture, Indigenous Roots, formed with First Nations
- International Strategy
- Secured distribution across 500+ pharmacies throughout Germany
The original Peace Naturals facility ("Building 1") is now back online after a redesign and renovation complete with a Good
Manufacturing Practices ("GMP") grade production area and a state-of-the-art extraction laboratory. The two remaining production
facilities on the Peace Naturals campus ("Building 2" and "Building 3") have also undergone significant upgrades and design
improvements over the past six months. Buildings 2 and 3 are purpose built, indoor production facilities equipped with the latest
technology in advanced HPS and LED lighting systems, a 14-ton CO2 tank, and automated Dosatron watering/nutrient
systems.
The upgraded production infrastructure and improved cultivation methods at Peace have already resulted in significant yield
increases. As a result, the production capacity for existing facilities is expected to increase to approximately 5,000 kilos per
year.
Additionally, the Company has significantly upgraded its extraction infrastructure, acquiring a customized CO2
extraction system capable of efficiently producing upwards of 6,000 liters of finished cannabis oil annually. The Company expects
material increases to both extract production and sales in the coming quarters.
As part of the global strategy, new management has focused on developing and solidifying the Company's international
distribution channels. Peace Naturals is now distributing cannabis through 500 pharmacies in Germany.
ITZ, Cronos' other wholly-owned licensed producer, secured its sales license from Health Canada on February 2017. The asset's
location in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia makes ITZ uniquely positioned to take advantage of the forthcoming
recreational legalization in Canada.
Finally, Cronos also entered a joint venture with First Nations in 2016 to create Indigenous Roots Inc. ("Indigenous Roots").
This partnership includes the construction of an initial production facility on the ITZ's licensed property in British Columbia
as well as plans for a national distribution platform.
"The Cronos team remains focused on optimizing our existing manufacturing footprint, expanding our production capacity, and
establishing an international distribution network in the process of building world-class brands. We remained disciplined in our
approach and are confident that the best is yet to come," says Mike Gorenstein, Chief Executive Officer.
About The Cronos Group
Cronos Group, is a geographically diversified and vertically integrated cannabis company that operates two wholly-owned
Licensed Producers ("LPs") regulated within Health Canada's Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (the "ACMPR") and
holds a portfolio of minority investments in other Licensed Producers. The Company's flagship LPs, Peace Naturals Project Inc.
(Ontario), and In The Zone Produce Ltd. (British Columbia) are collectively situated on over 125 acres of agricultural land and
are currently licensed to produce 2,600 kg of cannabis on an annual basis. The Company also holds minority equity positions in
Whistler Medical Marijuana and other Licensed Producers. Cronos Group is focused on building an international iconic brand
portfolio, providing patients with compassionate and personalized care, and creating value for our shareholders.
Forward-looking statements
This news release may contain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable
Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute
forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that,
while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks,
uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual financial results, performance or achievements to be materially different
from the estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements and the
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. This news release contains information obtained by the Company from third parties and believes such
information to be accurate but has not independently verified such information.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information, please visit www.thecronosgroup.com.